Electronic card game and method

ABSTRACT

A method and device is set forth for playing a game where an inventory of data representing playing cards is arranged in a random but established, serial order. For each hand of play the player makes a wager and cards are displayed, according to the rules of the game, in order from the inventory to define a winning or losing outcome. A display, as hands are played, displays the remaining constituency of the inventory and the player, before any hand, can order re-shuffling and re-constitute of the inventory. Further, re-shuffling may be triggered by a card or hand count or certain pre-defined triggers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is continuation-in-part application of commonly owned application Ser. No. 60/241,644 filed Oct. 19, 2000 and titled “Electronic Video Poker and Game” and commonly owned application Ser. No. 09/977,138 filed Oct. 12, 2001 and titled “Electronic Card Game and Method”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to methods and devices for playing electronic Poker, Poker-style, Baccarat and Blackjack card games.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Video Poker is a well known game played using and electronic device such as computer with a display, a hand-held device or with a dedicated, video Poker gaming machine. In that the play of basic video Poker is the same whether it is played with a hand held, electronic novelty device, with a computer, through the Internet or with a dedicated gaming machine, the following description is primarily directed to a dedicated, video Poker gaming or video lottery machine of the type found in casinos.

[0004] To play the game according to the prior art, the player makes a wager by any suitable means such as by wagering credits, inserting tokens or the like. Once the wager is made the machine is prompted for play whereupon the processor for machine randomly selects from data representing a deck of playing cards, data representing ten playing cards. This data need is not arranged in any order and typically is configured as a data string representing the cards of the deck in no particular order. This order is fixed when the data string is constructed; however the random selection from the string makes the fixed order, at least to a degree, irrelevant. From this randomly selected data, five playing cards are displayed representing the initial holding and the data for the remaining five cards is held in inventory. The player, using a touch screen on the game display or buttons on the machine, selects which cards to discard, if any, from the initial holding. The data representing the discarded cards is replaced with the inventoried data and the replacement cards are displayed. The final hand is (with or without replacement cards) is compared to a schedule of winning hands based on the ranking of hands of Poker. If the player has a winning final hand, they are paid based upon their wager. If they do not have a winning hand, their wager is lost. After determination of the outcome of the hand, the player makes another wager and plays the next hand according to the above.

[0005] For each new hand of play, the initial hand is selected from data representing a full deck of cards. This deck may have the standard fifty-two cards or may include an additional, wild, Joker. In this regard, it is further known to provide games according to the above based upon a deuces wild, Joker's wild and Joker's and deuces wild format. The play of a hand does not deplete the deck data stored for the next hand. It follows that the device does not track nor display cards remaining in the deck since there is no deck depletion as hands are played. Further there is no means for the player to select to “reshuffle” or not reshuffle after a series of hand since, according to the prior art, each hand is dealt from a full deck.

[0006] Video Blackjack is also a known game. According to this game, the player makes a wager and data representing a two card player hand and two card dealer hand are randomly selected and displayed from a full deck of fifty-two cards. The cards of the player hand are revealed whereas only one card of the dealer hand is shown. The player, using an input device, opts to stand, split, double down and take one or more hits to complete his hand according to the rules of the game. The dealer's hand is then revealed and completed. As between the dealer and player, the one having a hand count at or closest to “21” wins the hand. After the hands are completed and compared and any wager paid or collected, a new wager is made and cards are dealt from a fully constituted deck.

[0007] For the table game version of Blackjack, a series of hands are dealt from a deck and the deck is depleted to a point where the deck is re-shuffled.

[0008] Baccarat is another known game where a deck of cards is shuffled to configure the cards into a random, serial order and where multiple hands are dealt from the deck before a point is reached in penetration through the deck where the deck is re-shuffled.

[0009] There is another electronic card game called “Double Down Stud” and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,257 issued May 2, 1995 to Fulton. In this game the player makes an initial wager to play the game and prompts play. When play is prompted, four cards of a five card stud Poker hand are displayed. The player is then given th opportunity to double his wager. The electronic device is then prompted whereupon the fifth card is displayed defining a five card outcome. The outcome is compared to a predetermined pay table structure for winning outcomes, e.g. a pair of 6s or better, and if the player has a winning outcome they receive an award based upon their total wager. In regards to this game it should be noted that I am not aware of any variations on the game such as a deuces wild, Joker wild or other format for the game.

[0010] In regards to deck depletion through a series of hands for the play of games of the type described, the same does not occur with respect to electronic card games since the data string configuring the virtual deck is fully constituted at the start of each hand. Further, where a deck is depleted over a series of hands, it is against conventional wisdom to display to players the remaining constituency of the depleted deck so they can see the cards available for play. In most jurisdictions, card counting, e.g. a player determining the remaining cards in the deck based upon the cards played (in Blackjack where multiple rounds of hands are played from a deck of cards) is a crime or a basis for ejecting the player from the casino.

[0011] There is a need for a game and method wherein, at least for a plurality of hands of play, the cards which have been played deplete the deck for the succeeding hand. There is also a need for a game and method wherein the processor tracks the cards which have been played and therefor can determine and display, if desired, the inventory of cards remaining in the deck for play of the next hand. Still further there is a need for a game where the player can order “reshuffling” if he/she desires. Further there is a need for a game of the type described above where re-shuffling of the deck data, if not ordered by the player, is required based upon one or more pre-selected triggers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] There is, therefore, set forth according to the present invention, a method and electronic device for playing a card game such as a Video Poker game where the deck(s) are randomized (shuffled) into a random order, where cards for play are selected and displayed from the deck, where the constituency of the deck. i.e. the remaining cards available for play, is displayed and where the deck is reconstituted and reconfigured into a new, randomly arranged deck of N cards based upon the count of displayed cards, a command prompt by the player or a pre-determined trigger and where the displayed pay table may be reconfigured to reflect the fact that, based upon depletion of the deck, certain winning outcomes cannot obtained.

[0013] In yet a further embodiment, the card data may be arranged into a random, serial order of N cards and where, during play, cards are selected and displayed serially from the serial deck data.

[0014] Toward this end there is set forth a method and device for playing a card game such as a Video Poker game which includes providing a data processor including a first data structure storing data representing at least one deck of N playing cards according to the rules of the game. For example, for regular video Poker, the first data structure would store data representing each card of a fifty-two card deck. In the first data structure the card data is configured in a serial, random, order representing a deck of shuffled cards. The player makes a wager and plays a series of hands. For each hand of play, data is selected from the first data structure and displaying at an electronic display data representing an initial holding of at least three playing cards, e.g. a five card Poker hand, the data selected in order from the serially arranged deck data or randomly selected from the deck data. The player opts to discard one or more of said displayed playing cards of the initial holding, the processor for any discarded card selecting and displaying a replacement card selected in order for the serially arranged deck data or randomly from the deck data, to define a final outcome combination of five cards. The final card combination is compared to data stored in a second data structure storing data representing winning outcomes. If the player has obtained a winning outcome an award corresponding to a winning outcome is issued to the player.

[0015] The processor maintains data representing the constituency of the deck data remaining in the first data structure, e.g. how many Aces-Deuces are left, and displays the constituency of the deck data depleted of said displayed cards from the previous hand(s) of play. Thus as cards are selected from the arranged deck and at least before the next hand of play, there is displayed for the player the remaining constituency of the deck which the player may use to guide their decisions as to which cards to discard for the present hand of play.

[0016] The feature of displaying the remaining constituency of the deck through the play of a series of hands can also be incorporated into video versions of Blackjack, Baccarat, Stud Poker, Double Down Stud Poker, Three Card Poker and variations of these known games as hereinafter described as well as other games.

[0017] At a predetermined count of displayed cards, the deck data is reconstituted and reconfigured such that the cards are randomly positioned in a serially ordered or random deck representing a re-shuffled deck. As new hands are played cards are selected serially from the deck data (or randomly from the remaining deck data) so as to correspond to dealing of cards from the top of the deck (serial selection) or randomly from the remaining deck. Reconstitution and reconfiguration may also be triggered, as by the play of the Joker in Joker's Wild Poker or upon prompting by the player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features and advantages will become appreciated as the same becomes better understood with reference to the description, claims and drawings wherein:

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a processor controlled display after the play of one hand of Video Poker;

[0020]FIG. 2 shows the processor controlled display after the play of another hand of play of Video Poker;

[0021]FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart for the game of Video Poker; and

[0022]FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for the game of Blackjack or Baccarat.

DESCRIPTION

[0023] Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an electronic display 10 for a game and method according to the present invention. The display 10 may be presented by a video display or plasma display for a gaming machine or on a computer monitor or handheld game display.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, a device 10 and method for the Video Poker embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device 10 includes an electronic video display 12 presenting an example of the layout for the play of the game. The device 10 may be incorporated into any platform such as those currently known in the art. For example, the display 12 may be a touch screen display including data input means 14 to control the game/machine processor 15; however it should be understood that other data input means could be used such as machine buttons, mouse, keyboard or the like.

[0025] The display 12 has a locations 16 a-e for the display of the game hand cards 18 during play. During the play of the device 10 and method, cards 18 are displayed in a manner as hereinafter described to play the game method.

[0026] Not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 10 and/or display 12 may include a credit meter, as is known on the art, to keep a tally on the gaming credits available for play and means for the player to input a wager and prompt play of the game. For example, the device 10 may include a cash validator/acceptor or token acceptor by which the player may input the desired wager as well as input means to wager accumulated credits, again as is known in the art.

[0027] To provide information to the player, the display 12 includes a touch screen help button 20 which, if touched by the player, prompts the processor 15 to display helpful information to the player. Also included is a cash out button 22 which if touched by the player prompts the processor 15 to operate a pay device 24 which may be a coin hopper device, voucher writer, credit or debit card writer or a program to transfer accumulated credits to the player's established account.

[0028] To enable the player to hold/discard cards 18, each location 16 a-e has associated therewith a hold button 26. As is known in the play of Video Poker, if the player desires to hold a card 18, he/she touches the corresponding hold button 26 which prompts the processor 15 for the game to retain the display of the held card 18. Cards which are not held in the initial hand or holding, are replaced with replacement cards to define the final outcome holding. The final holding, as described below, is compared to an established pay table to determine if the player has a winning or losing outcome.

[0029] The processor 15 controls the display 12 to also display a pay table 28 which lists winning outcomes and the pay for each. Data corresponding to winning combinations and the pay or award for each may be stored in a second data structure 32.

[0030] Data representing the deck of N cards for play of the game is stored in a first data structure 30, such as a digital memory device. Where the deck is a single, standard deck, N=52 cards. Where the deck is for play of a Joker's Wild game, N=53 or 54 depending upon the number of wild Jokers to be included in the deck data. The data is stored in a serial order, each address representing a playing card of the deck. Thus the data is stored in a fashion to replicate a shuffled deck of playing cards. That is, when newly shuffled for play, the card data is stored in the first data structure 30 as a sequential string of card data representing cards N₁-N₅₂ . The card in each of the addresses N₁-N₅₂ are not in any suit or value order but instead are randomized simulating a shuffled deck of cards, with the top card being N₁ and the bottom card being N₅₂. A random number generator may be used to randomly select a card for each address. Thus, to the processor 15 and first data structure 30, the data is arranged in a fashion similar to that of a shuffled deck of cards.

[0031] When the play of the game is prompted after shuffling (reconstitution and reconfiguration of the data), the processor 15 selects the first five addresses N₁-N₅ in the data structure defining the initial holding and, with that data, displays the corresponding cards at the display in locations 16 a-e as shown in FIG. 1. The next card selected would be N₆ . If, on the other hand, the last card displayed form the previous game was at address position N₂₀, the processor would access address positions N₂₁-N₂₅ and display the cards corresponding to those addresses. Of course other arrangements of data may be used to simulate the ordered, serial and random arrangement of cards in a shuffled deck.

[0032] The processor 15 controls the display 12 to display a table 34 which describes the inventory data representing cards of the first data structure 30. Table 34 is updated as card data is selected and cards displayed to impart information as to the remaining constituency of the data, i.e. how many of each card value and/or suit are left in the inventory.

[0033] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the method of the play and the device 10 for Video Poker will now be described.

[0034] Video Poker

[0035] At 36 the player inputs their desired wager to play a hand of Video Poker and at 38 prompts the processor 15 for play. The processor 15 accesses the first data structure 30 to get the next cards at 40, in order, from the random, serially arranged, deck data. For purposes of discussion and with reference to FIG. 1, it is assumed that the deck data of the first data structure 30 has been re-randomized, reconstituted and serially ordered into data representing a complete shuffled deck of fifty-two cards N₁-N₅₂. Thus, at 40, the processor 15 gets cards N₁-N₅ and displays the same at the display 12 as an initial five card holding of, according to this example, 10

,3

,A

,4

, 10

(FIG. 1).

[0036] With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the processor 15 also counts the number of cards which the current hand has depleted from the deck at 42 as well as accounts for the value, and if desired, suit, of the cards remaining in the deck data inventory of the first data structure 30. Thus, if the deck data was a full deck of fifty-two cards of a standard deck of playing cards, the deck, by the retrieval and display of five playing cards, has been (1) depleted of five cards and (2) specifically depleted of cards 10

,3

,A

,4

, 10

. The processor 15 re-tabulates the table 34 to account for the depletion of the deck. That is, before and after the display of the cards of the initial holding the table 34 would be altered as suggested below and as reflected in FIG. 1: Table Before Initial Deal Table After Initial Deal A’s 4 A’s 3 K’s 4 K’s 4 Q’s 4 Q’s 4 J’s 4 J’s 4 10’s 4 10’s 2 9’s 4 9’s 4 8’s 4 8’s 4 7’s 4 7’s 4 6’s 4 6’s 4 5’s 4 5’s 4 4’s 4 4’s 3 3’s 4 3’s 3 2’s 4 2’s 4 52 47

[0037] Thus at 44 the processor depletes the deck data of the first data structure 30 and displays the remaining constituency of the card data so the player knows which cards remain available for future selection and display.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 3, at 46 the player selects with the input means 14 which cards of the initial holding to hold. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the player may decide to hold the pair of 10's. Thus the display 12 would display the cards 18 in the following manner:

[0039] Upon the player prompting play, at 48 the processor 15 selects from the data stored in the first data structure the next data, e.g. N₆-N₈ and displays the same as replacements for the discarded cards 3

,A

,4

. For example, the hand, after replacements, may result in a final holding outcome of:

[0040] This holding is a Full House.

[0041] In connection with the retrieval of the replacement card data, the processor 15 at 44 depletes the deck data of the data representing the replacement cards (cards 10

,J

,J

) and displays at the display 12 at table 34 the new constituency of the deck depleted by the replacement card data. Thus the table 34 would be: Table After Initial Deal Table After Replacements A’s 3 A’s 3 K’s 4 K’s 4 Q’s 4 Q’s 4 J’s 4 J’s 2 10’s 2 10’s 1 9’s 4 9’s 4 8’s 4 8’s 4 7’s 4 7’s 4 6’s 4 6’s 4 5’s 4 5’s 4 4’s 3 4’s 3 3’s 3 3’s 3 2’s 4 2’s 4 47 44

[0042] Thus the player has updated information as to the constituency of the remaining deck data.

[0043] At 50 the processor 15 compares the outcome to data stored in a second data structure 52 representing winning outcomes and the award for each (referred to herein as pay table data) to determine if the player is entitled to an award. If the player has obtained a winning outcome, at 54 the processor 15 issues the appropriate award. Typical pay table data for a five unit wager is as shown at the pay table 28 of FIG. 1. The pays may be linear based upon the tokens wagered or may include one or more higher pays to encourage a maximum coin wager.

[0044] After the award or if no award was won, the processor 15 determines at 56 if the player has prompted re-shuffling of the deck data of the first data structure 30. The player may prompt reconfiguration and reconstitution of the deck data of the first data structure into data representing a shuffled, random, serially ordered full deck by touching shuffle button 58 (FIG. 1). The processor 15 reconfigures and reconstitutes the deck data of the first data structure 30 into data representing a full, re-shuffled deck of cards N₁-N₅₂ . The display 12 would also be controlled to show the constitution of the deck data at table 34. The player may command re-shuffling where the deck constitution, for the next hand of play, is not what the player desires, e.g. is completely depleted of Aces thus making a Royal Flush impossible for the next hand. It should be noted that where deck depletion makes certain outcomes impossible for the next hand, the processor 15 may re-configure the pay table 28 and remove that outcome. For example, if all Kings are depleted from the deck making a Royal Flush impossible, the Royal Flush pay would be removed from the pay table 28.

[0045] If the player does not command re-shuffling, re-shuffling may be commanded based upon the count of the card data which has been displayed. According to the preferred embodiment, where penetration into the deck data reaches a predetermine number, the processor 15 commands reconfiguration and reconstitution of the deck data. For example, if the count exceeds 30 cards, e.g. (N₁-N₃₁) representing a deck penetration of thirty-one cards, at 60 the deck data is reshuffled before the play of the next hand.

[0046] Also one or more triggers at 62 may trigger re-shuffling and reconstitution of the deck. For example, where the game is a Joker's Wild version of Video Poker, the display of the Joker in the hand may trigger re-shuffling before the play of the next hand. Other triggers may be depletion of one of A's-10's from the deck (making a Royal Flush impossible) or depletion of all the 2's in a Deuces Wild format game.

[0047] Where re-shuffling takes place, the table 34 reflects the re-constitution of the deck.

[0048] Table 34 may also display the cards remaining for each suit as shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] Whether re-shuffling takes place or not, the player at 36 inputs another wager to play the next hand having the information imparted by the table 34 of the constitution of the deck data.

[0050]FIG. 2 illustrates the display 12 after completion of a hand which has depleted the deck data to have a remaining set of 32 cards. Since the next hand could require the selection and display of at least five and possibly ten cards (initial holding of five cards where all are discarded and replaced) thereby exceeding a forty card deck penetration, re-shuffling of the deck data would occur prior to the play of the next hand.

[0051] As suggested above, the device and method can be configured to play a Deuces Wild or Joker's Wild game. For Joker's Wild, data is stored in the first data structure 30 representing a standard deck (52 cards) plus at least one Joker for data representing fifty-three cards. Preferably only one Joker is included and is “wild” to represent any card in the deck. For Joker's Wild the pay table data stored in the second data structure 32 represents the following winning combinations and awards for a five unit wager: Royal Flush (without Joker) 5000 5 of a Kind 1000 Royal Flush with Joker 500 Straight Flush 250 4 of a Kind 100 Full House 35 Flush 25 Straight 15 3 of a Kind 10 Two pair 5 Pair of Queens or Better 5

[0052] The processor 15 may be programmed to order re-shuffling (reconfiguration and reconstitution) of the deck data upon the first of: (1) where the count the hands played as tracked by the counter 42 is four hands (2) after a hand is played including the Joker, or (3) player commanded re-shuffling.

[0053] For video Poker, various other pay tables can be used which pay higher awards for certain fours of a kind and lesser awards for holdings such as two pair. An alternate pay table which may be adopted provides a premium for certain fours-of-a-Kind as suggested below: Outcome Award Royal Flush 1000:1 Straight Flush 160:1 Four-of-a-Kind (Aces) 80:1 Four-of-a-Kind (J-K) 60:1 Four-of-a-Kind (2-10s) 50:1 Full House 9:1 Flush 6:1 Straight 4:1 3 of a Kind 3:1 Two pair 1:1 Pair (Jacks or better) 1:1

[0054] Blackjack/Baccarat

[0055] Turning to FIG. 4, there is shown a diagram for the play of Blackjack or Baccarat according to the present invention. Like elements bear like reference numbers.

[0056] At 36 the player inputs their desired wager to play a hand of Baccarat or Blackjack and at 38 prompts the processor 15 for play. The processor 15 accesses the first data structure 30 to get the next cards at 40 in order from the random, serially arranged, deck data. For Blackjack, the processor would select and display two cards for a player hand and two cards for a dealer hand; however for the dealer hand, only one card is exposed. Thus, at 44, the deck data is depleted by four cards displayed for the initial holding and the constituency of the remaining deck is displayed at table 34. To protect against the player knowing the dealer's down card, the remaining constituency may show depleting by only those cards which are displayed (exposed) and would not show the deck depleted by the dealer's un-exposed down card.

[0057] With continuing reference to FIG. 4, the processor 15 also counts at 42 the number of cards (and/or hands of play, if desired) represented by the current hand as well as accounts for the value, and if desired suit, of the cards remaining in the deck data inventory of the first data structure 30. For traditional Baccarat or Blackjack, suit is not important and hence may not be accounted for. However, for certain bonus Blackjack or Baccarat games, it may be important to display suit. The display of the depleted deck may not take place until completion of the hand of play so as not to impart sufficient information to the player as to the dealer's face down card in Blackjack.

[0058] At 64 the hands are completed by the player standing, splitting, doubling down, taking a hit according to the rules of Blackjack. For a single deck game, certain player options such as and taking insurance and surrender may not be permitted. However, for games where the data represents two or more decks, surrender, insurance and other options may be permitted. It should be noted that where multiple decks are used, the number of addresses is increased, e.g N₁-N₁₀₄ (two decks), N₁-N₁₅₆ (three decks) and so forth. The player's action may require the selection and display of additional cards for the player hand. For additional cards requested by the player, at 44 and as described above, the deck data is selected in order from the serially arranged, randomized deck data, cards are counted at 42, at 44 the deck data is depleted. Again, display of the depleted deck constituency may be delayed until completion of the hand of play or may be confined to only those cards which have been exposed. The dealer's hand at 64 is also completed which may require selecting and displaying additional cards according to the well-known rules of the game. For any additional cards for the dealer's hand, cards are counted at 42, at 44 the deck data is depleted.

[0059] When the player and dealer hands have been completed, at 66 the hands are compared, according to the well known rules of the game to determine if the player has won the hand. If the player has won at 54 the award is issued to the player and if not, the player's wager is lost and is retained. At this point the processor 15 would display the remaining deck constituency, i.e. how the deck has been depleted by the preceding hand of play.

[0060] After the award or if no award was won, the processor 15 determines at 56 if the player has prompted re-shuffling of the deck data of the first data structure 30. The player may prompt reconfiguration and reconstitution of the deck data of the first data structure 30 into data representing a shuffled, random, serially ordered full deck by touching shuffle button 58 (FIG. 1). The processor 15 reconfigures and reconstitutes the deck data of the first data structure 30 into data representing cards N₁-N₅₂ for the fifty-two card deck. The display 12 would also be controlled to show the constitution of the deck data at table 34. The player may command re-shuffling where the deck constitution, for the next hand of play, is not what the player desires, e.g. is completely depleted of Aces thus making a Blackjack impossible for the next hand.

[0061] If the player does not command re-shuffling, re-shuffling may be commanded based upon the count of the card data which has been displayed or additionally or alternatively, the number of hands which have been played since re-shuffling of the deck. According to the preferred embodiment, where penetration into the deck data or the number of hands of play reaches a predetermine number, the processor 15 commands reconfiguration and reconstitution of the deck data. For example, if the count exceeds 30 cards for a single deck game, e.g. (N₁-N₃₁ ) or 37 cards, at 60 the deck data is reshuffled before the play of the next hand. Or, if four hands have been played, re-shuffling may be triggered.

[0062] Also one or more triggers at 62 may trigger re-shuffling and reconstitution of the deck. For example, where all the Aces have been depleted from the deck (making a Blackjack impossible), re-shuffling may be triggered before the play of the next hand.

[0063] Baccarat is played in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 4 and described above. The difference is the exposure of all cards and the known draw rules for Baccarat to complete the Player and Banker hands therefor. Further, the depletion of the deck may be displayed as cards are played since draw rules for Baccarat are generally fixed.

[0064] The device and method may also be applied to other casino card games such as modified Blackjack, Baccarat or Poker games.

[0065] Further, the method and device may embrace multiple decks of cards as well.

[0066] Because information is being imparted to the player as to the remaining constituency of the deck, certain wagering restrictions may be placed as well such as, for example, permitting only X and 2X wagers (X represents any particular denomination) during play of a newly constituted deck and before reshuffling. That is, if for a newly shuffled deck, the player's first wager is five units, he/she is restricted to a maximum wager of ten units for succeeding hands. If the player wishes to wager twenty-five units, they would first have to command re-shuffling. Thereafter, until re-shuffling, they could wager a maximum of fifty units (2X).

[0067] Double Buy Stud

[0068] The method according to the present invention can also be employed in the game of double buy stud. According to this game, deck data is arranged in the first data structure 30 in the manner described above. The player makes a first wager and four cards are serially selected from the deck data and displayed. At this point the game processor 15 may display the remaining constituency of the deck. The player then has the option of doubling his/her wager. If the player doubles their wager, the game device is prompted to select and display a fifth card to define the final outcome. If the player does not double, he/she prompts play and the fifth card is selected and displayed to define the final outcome. Upon selection and display of the fifth card, the displayed constituency of the remaining deck data is updated to show the remaining cards of the deck. The final outcome is compared to the schedule of winning outcomes and if the player has a winning outcome they are paid the corresponding award based upon the total of the wager(s) made by the player. One example of a pay schedule which has been used for Double Down Stud Poker is as follows: Outcome Award Pair (6s-10s) 1:1 Pair (Jacks-Aces) 2:1 Two Pair 3:1 Three of Kind 4:1 Straight 6:1 Flush 9:1 Full House 12:1 Four of a Kind 50:1 Straight Flush 200:1 Royal Flush 2000:1

[0069] In the manner described above, as hands are played, the deck data is depleted and the constituency of the remaining deck data is displayed to help guide the player in making a decision to place their additional wager or, if the hand is completed, command re-shuffling. Upon reaching a preselected point of deck penetration, the deck is automatically re-shuffled before the next hand. Also, the pay table as suggested above may be updated as certain outcomes become impossible given the remaining deck data for play. Triggers may be also be employed to trigger re-shuffling such as where all of the Aces, Kings, etc. have been played making a royal flush impossible. Further, the player may command re-shuffling.

[0070] Suffle Poker Double Buy Stud

[0071] The known double down stud game as described in Fulton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,257 is played as a five card stud game. According to the present invention, certain new variations of the game are presented.

[0072] The data stored in the first data structure 30 includes data representing the fifty-two cards of a standard deck of playing cards as well as data representing a wild Joker. The data is randomly selected and, after shuffling the card data is assigned to addresses N₁-N₅₃ (fifty-three cards) and the data is frozen defining the randomly selected and serially arranged deck data. During the play of the device 10 and method, cards 18 are displayed in a manner as hereinafter described to play the game method.

[0073] The processor 15 controls the display to also display a pay table 28 which lists winning outcomes and the pay for each. Data corresponding to winning combinations and the pay or award for each may be stored in the second data structure 32 in the manner described above.

[0074] When the play of the game is prompted after shuffling (reconstitution and reconfiguration of the data), the processor 15 selects the first four addresses N₁-N₄ in the first data structure 30 defining the initial holding and, with that data, displays the corresponding four cards at the display in locations 16 a-d as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The next card selected would be N₅. If, on the other hand, the last card displayed from the previous game was at address position N₂₀, the processor would access address positions N₂₁-N₂₄ and display the cards corresponding to those addresses. Of course other arrangements of data may be used to simulate the ordered, serial and random arrangement of cards in a shuffled deck.

[0075] The processor 15 controls the display 12 to display a table 34 which describes the inventory data representing cards of the first data structure 30. Table 34 is updated as card data is selected and cards displayed to impart information as to the remaining constituency of the data, i.e. how many of each card value and/or suit are left in the inventory.

[0076] To play the game (assuming with fully constituted deck data representing all fifty two cards plus a Joker), the player makes a wager and prompts play. The processor 15 selects and displays the four cards at addresses N₁-N₄ at display locations 16 a-d representing an initial holding of four cards. The player then has the option of doubling his/her wager. This decision may be governed by the displayed pay table 28 for the game showing winning outcomes. The pay table and schedule of pays which may be adopted and stored in the second data structure 32 is as follows. It should be understood that other winning outcomes and pay tables could be adopted. Outcome Pay (based on a wager of 5 units) Pair (Jacks or Better) (w/wo Joker) 10 3 of a Kind (w/wo Joker) 15 Straight (w/wo Joker) 25 Flush (w/wo Joker) 45 4 of a Kind (w/wo Joker) 250 Straight Flush (w/wo Joker) 500 Royal Flush (w/Joker) 1000 5 of a Kind 3000 Royal Flush (wo/Joker) 6000

[0077] If the player decides to double their wager, they do so and prompts play. If the player decides not to double, they do not make the doubling wager and prompts play. Upon prompting play the processor 15 selects the next address in order, e.g. N₅, and displays the card of the address at the location 16 e to define the final outcome for the hand. The processor 15 compares the hand of the final outcome to the pay table 28 and if the player has a winning outcome, the player is paid the corresponding award based on their wager total. If no winning outcome is obtained, the player loses their wager(s).

[0078] The table 34 reflects the depletion of the deck data, i.e. the five cards used for play of the first hand are removed from the deck data. The player then makes another wager, and during the play of the next hand card data at registers N₆-N₁₀ are displayed and table 34 is updated to show the deck data depleted now by ten cards.

[0079] The player may play serial hands from the deck, monitoring the deck depletion and basing their decisions thereon. At a predetermined point of deck depletion, e.g. the display of 36 cards from the data, the processor 15 commands re-shuffling and reconstitution of the deck. The player may also at any time after the play of a hand, command re-shuffling and reconstitution of the deck data. Further, the processor may be programmed to re-shuffle and reconstitute the deck upon certain triggers such as the selection and display of the Joker, or the like.

[0080] Shuffle Joker 5 Card Stud

[0081] According to this variation, upon prompting play, five cards are selected and displayed at locations 16 a-e representing the final outcome. The Joker is wild as before. Unlike the Shuffle Joker Double Buy Stud described above, the player has no opportunity to double their wager. Unlike video Poker, the player has no option to hold and discard to receive replacements. As hands are player the deck is depleted, as described above, the table 34 reflects deck depletion. The pay table 28 may be the same for the present game as described with reference to Shuffle Poker Double Buy Stud.

[0082] The games described above may be linked together such that a portion of the wagers contributes to one or more progressive jackpots such as for fours of a kind, certain fours of a kind, a Royal Flush without a Joker, or the like. Further, as suggested before, different pay tables may be adopted as well as including different winning outcomes to configure the games to have the desired profit (vigourish).

[0083] As described above, the deck data may represent randomly assigned card data into addresses thereby “freezing” the randomly shuffled deck data in the addresses for serial selection. As an alternative embodiment, a random number generator may be used to randomly select data representing cards from a data structure. As cards are selected and displayed, the processor 15 notes the displayed cards. Where additional cards are required, such as for completing a hand or for a new hand of play, the random number generator randomly selects cards from the fifty-two card data structure. If a selected card is the same card that has previously been selected and displayed, the processor controls the RNG to make another selection until card data is selected which does not correspond to a previously selected card. Thus the processor maintains in a separate played card data structure data corresponding to the cards which have been selected and displayed. Based on this data the processor can determine the remaining constituency of a deck for the display of the same. Data representing cards is randomly selected from a recycling data string. If the selected data corresponds to a previously selected and displayed card, the selection process is repeated until a new card is chosen for display. The data corresponding to the newly selected card is stored in the played card data structure and the remaining constituency of the deck is calculated and displayed.

[0084] In yet a further embodiment, as card data is randomly selected, the selected cards are redacted from the deck data. Additional cards are randomly selected from the remaining deck data having the redacted cards removed therefrom.

[0085] Further the method can also be employed in a table game using one or more decks of cards and a card reader to read cards as they are distributed to players.

[0086] While I have described certain embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that it is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A method for playing a card game according to the rules thereof comprising: providing a data processor including a first data structure storing data representing at least one deck of N playing cards according to the rules of the game: a player making wagers and playing a series of hands; for each hand of play, selecting data from the first data structure and displaying at an electronic display data representing an initial holding of at least two playing cards; completing the initial holding to a final holding according to the rules thereof by at least one of (1) receiving additional cards or (2) replacing selected cards, said processor for any additional or replaced card selecting and displaying one or more cards selected from the deck data to define said final outcome, card combination; displaying the constituency of the deck data depleted of said displayed cards; and determining if the players final outcome is a winning or a losing outcome and issuing an award corresponding to a winning outcome.
 2. The method of claim 1 comprising displaying the constituency of the deck data at the completion of each hand of play.
 3. The method of claim 1 comprising displaying the constituency of the deck data after the selection and display of card data.
 4. The method of claim 1 comprising counting the number of card data selected and displayed during the play of a series of outcomes and at a predetermined count X and before the play of the next hand reconstituting the deck data for N cards.
 5. The method of claim 4 comprising the player prompting reconstitution of said deck data.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the deck. constituency data in a table.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising displaying the deck constituency data in a table including the values and suits corresponding to said card data.
 8. The method of claim 1 comprising counting the number of card data selected and displayed during the play of a series of outcomes and reconstituting the deck data into N card data before the play of the next hand in response to the first of (1) the display of a predetermined count X of card data or (2) the display of data representing a trigger.
 9. The method of claim 1 comprising counting the number of card data selected and displayed during the play of a series of outcomes and reconstituting the deck data into N cards before the play of the next hand in response to the first of (1) the display of a predetermined count X of card data, (2) the display of data representing said trigger or (3) the player prompting reconstitution.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring said processor to display a pay table corresponding to each winning outcome and the corresponding award and to reconfigure the displayed pay table where deck depletion eliminates a winning outcome.
 11. The method of claim 1 comprising randomly assigning data for each card into addresses N₁-N_(N) to define a serial card data order and serially selecting card data in order from said addresses.
 12. The method of claim 1 comprising randomly selecting data representing said cards for display, keeping track of displayed cards and if a randomly selected card matches a previously displayed card randomly selecting another until the selected card does not match a previously displayed card.
 13. The method of claim 1 comprising randomly selecting card data and, for each card selected and displayed, redacting said displayed card(s) from said card data.
 14. A method for playing an electronic Video Poker game utilizing data representing a deck of N playing cards comprising: providing a data processor programmed to randomly select and display playing cards according to the rules of the game: a player making wagers and playing a series of hands; for each hand of play, randomly selecting and displaying at an electronic display data representing playing cards defining a holding; displaying the constituency of the deck data depleted of said data representing displayed playing cards; and comparing said holding to data stored in a second data structure representing winning outcome combinations and if a winning outcome combination has been obtained issuing an award to the player.
 15. The method of claim 14 comprising the player controlling the processor to discard at least one displayed card of the holding and to randomly select and display for each discarded card a replacement card in the holding to define a final holding, comparing said final holding to data stored in said second data structure representing winning outcome combinations and if a winning outcome combination has been obtained issuing an award to the player.
 16. The method of claim 14 comprising including a Joker in the data representing N cards, said Joker designated as wild.
 17. A method for playing an electronic Blackjack game utilizing data representing a deck of N playing cards comprising: providing a data processor programmed to randomly select and display playing cards according to the rules of the game: a player making wagers and playing a series of hands; for each hand of play, randomly selecting and displaying at an electronic display data representing playing cards defining a Dealer and a Player initial holding; displaying the constituency of the deck data depleted of said data representing displayed playing cards; the player (i) standing or (ii) controlling the processor to select and display one or more additional cards summed with the cards of the initial holding to define a final Player holding; completing the Dealer's hand by (i) standing or(ii) the processor selecting and displaying one or more additional cards summed with the cards of the initial holding to define a final Dealer holding; comparing said final Player and Dealer holdings according to the rules of the game to determine (i) a Player win, (ii) a Dealer win or (iii) a tie and to issue an award to the player for a Player win; and said processor updating said display of the remaining constituency of the deck based upon the cards displayed during the play of each hand.
 18. The method of claim 17 comprising reconstituting the deck to N cards when a predetermined number of cards have been selected and displayed.
 19. An electronic device for playing a hands of a card game according to the rules thereof utilizing data representing a deck of N playing cards: a video display; means for a player to make a wager and prompt play of each hand of play of the game; a processor configured to randomly select and control said display to display playing cards according to the rules of play of the game for each hand of play; said processor configured to display at said display data corresponding to the remaining constituency of said deck data depleted of said displayed card data C (N-C); and said processor configured to determine if said final outcome is a winning or losing outcome and to issue an award for a winning combination.
 20. The device of claim 19 comprising said processor configured to display said data corresponding to said remaining constituency the deck data at the completion of each outcome.
 21. The device of claim 19 comprising displaying the constituency of the deck data after the selection and display of card data.
 22. The device of claim 19 comprising a counter to count the number of card data selected and displayed during the play of a series of hands, said processor configured to, at a predetermined count X of cards and before the play of the next hand, reconstitute the deck data into N card data.
 23. The device of claim 11 comprising an input device to prompt reconstitution of said deck data.
 24. An electronic device for playing a hands of a Video Poker game utilizing data representing a deck of N playing cards: a display; means for a player to make a wager and prompt play of the game; a processor configured to randomly select and control said display to display playing cards according to the rules of play of the game for each hand of play to define an outcome, to display at said display data representing the remaining constituency of the deck of cards N depleted of said displayed playing cards and to compare said outcome to a schedule of winning outcomes stored in a second data structure and to issue an award for a winning combination.
 25. The device of claim 24 comprising said processor configured to randomly select and control said display to display playing cards according to the rules of play of the game for each hand of play to define an initial holding and to exclude said displayed playing card data from re-selection until reconstitution of the deck, a control device for the player to select from said initial holding at least one card to discard, said processor configured to randomly select and display at said display a card to replace each discarded card and to define a final outcome for the hand of play; said processor configured to display at said display data corresponding to the remaining constituency of said deck data depleted of said displayed, excluded, card data; said processor configured to compare said outcome to a schedule of winning outcomes stored in a second data structure and to issue an award for a winning combination; and a prompter to prompt reconstitution of the deck.
 28. The device of claim 27 comprising said processor configured to display said data corresponding to said remaining constituency the deck data at the completion of each hand of play.
 29. The device of claim 27 comprising displaying the constituency of the deck data after the selection and display of card data.
 30. The device of claim 27 comprising a counter to count the number of card data selected and displayed during the play of a series of outcomes, said processor configured to, at a predetermined count X of cards and before the play of the next hand, reconstitute and reconfigure the deck data into a new, random, serial order of N card data.
 31. The device of claim 30 comprising an input device to prompt reconstitution and reconfiguration of said deck data.
 32. The device of claim 27 further comprising said processor configured to control the display to display the deck constituency data in a table.
 33. The device of claim 32 further comprising said processor configured to control the display to display the deck constituency data in a table including the values and suits corresponding to said card data.
 34. The device of claim 27 wherein said card data includes data representing a Joker and comprising a counter to count the number of card data selected and displayed during the play of a series of outcomes and said processor configured to reconstitute and reconfigure the deck data into a new, random, serial order of N card data before the play of the next hand in response to the first of the (1) display of a predetermined count X of card data or (2) the display of data representing said Joker.
 35. The device of claim 27 comprising a counter to count the number of card data selected and displayed during the play of a series of outcomes, an input device and said processor configured to reconstitute and reconfigure the deck data into a new, random, serial order of N card data before the play of the next hand in response to the first of (1) the display of a predetermined count X of card data, (2) the display of data representing selected card data or (3) the input of a signal with said input device to prompt reconstitution and reconfiguration.
 36. The device of claim 27 comprising said processor configured to display a pay table corresponding to each winning outcome and the corresponding award and to reconfigure the displayed pay table where deck depletion eliminates a winning outcome. 